[read english version] This compelling song seems to be known only in
Inverness County, specifically from around the Broad
Cove/Dunvegan area. A number of years ago, a local
fellow was so fond of singing it that he was nicknamed
“Iain Hi Rì Him Bò”. The song tells the story of a
victorious hunter returning home, after being away
chasing the deer, to discover his sweetheart has become
betrothed to another. My text here is once again based
on the recorded singing of Lachlan Dhòmhnaill Nìll. Hi rì him bò hill ò bha rò hò
Hi rì him bò hìrì ri ri ù
Hi rì him bo hill ò bha rò hò Chì mi, chì mi, chì mi thall ud,
Chì mi na féidh air a’ bhearradh, Chì mi na féidh…, etc.
‘S an giomanach fhéin nan deaghaidh, ‘S an giomanach fhéin…, etc.
Le ghunna caol ‘s a mhial-choin sheanga Dìreadh bheann ‘s a’ teàrnadh
ghleannan Dh’fhàg thu an damh donn gun anail Anns a’ fhraoch a’ sileadh faladh Bha do mhial-choin sgìth ‘ga leanaid Bha na gillean sgìth ‘ga tharraing Bial an anmoich ‘tighinn gu baile Far am faighte biadh gun ghainnead l ‘s ceòl ‘s òran thairis Tha sgeul ùr a’ tighinn gu baile Chan e sgeul ùr a th’ann ach
naidheachd Gun do réitich mo chiad leannan Vocals & foot: Mary Jane Lamond |